Ridge Augmentation

When you are considering dental implants, your dentist is going to test to see if you are a legitimate candidate. At Lehigh Valley Smiles, Dr. Alan Dilsaver uses dental implants for patients who have gum disease or problem teeth, currently wear dentures or have bone loss. One issue that comes up quite often is patients not have enough bone in their jaw to support an implant.  A certain amount of bone is required to support the implant and if you do not have the required amount, we will expose the bony defect and fill the area with bone or bone substitute through a procedure called ridge augmentation.

Deformities in the jaw can leave you with inadequate bone in which to place a dental implant. The bone defect can be caused by injury, trauma or periodontal disease. Ridge augmentation procedures can improve appearance and increase your chances for successful implant placement.  In this procedure, the bony ridge of the jaw is literally expanded by mechanical means. Bone graft material can be placed and matured for a few months before placing the implant. We have many options for bone grafting materials including bone from your own body, a cadaver, cow bone or synthetic material.

Ridge Augmentation is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. If you are missing teeth and do not have the bone to support a dental implant, please consider this procedure. You can set up an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver by visiting our website, www.lehighvalleysmiles.net or by calling (610) 252-7414.

Scaling and Root Planing

Periodontal disease (gum disease) is an infection of the gums that starts out as plaque. There are different stages of this disease and it is the leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. Treatment for this disease varies. Dr. Alan Dilsaver of Lehigh Valley Smiles in Easton, PA gives his patients options when it comes to the treatment of periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is responsible for 75 percent of all adult tooth loss cases in the United States, making it critical to check for and treat periodontal issues when they first arise. Periodontal disease starts when a build-up of plaque on your teeth hardens into tartar and creates a suitable environment for bacteria to collect and attack the surrounding gums. In its early stages, this gum disease is called gingivitis, but if it is left untreated, it becomes periodontitis. Periodontitis can destroy your gum and bone tissue, leads to tooth loss and even can result in a loss of bone mass in your jawbone. Heart disease, diabetes and stroke have also been linked to poor periodontal health.

Scaling and root planing is one of the most effective ways to treat gum disease before it develops into a more serious periodontal disease. The procedure allows the periodontist to clean between your gums and teeth all the way down to the roots in order to smooth the root structure and remove the tartar and plaque that is causing your inflammation.

This procedure is an incredibly effective and can stop the progression of gum disease before it irreversibly damages your teeth. If you’ve been diagnosed with gum disease or you have red, swollen or bleeding gums, schedule an appointment with Dr. Alan Dilsaver by calling (610) 252-7414. For more information about the dentist or his services, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net.  

Mini Implants

Dental implants offer patients the ability to replace their missing teeth with a permanent solution. There are two main types of dental implants, and patients interested in dental implants should know the differences between mini implants vs. regular implants.

While many patients visiting Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA opt for regular implants and the many benefits they serve, Dr. Dilsaver also offers FDA-approved mini implants as an alternative. Patients seeking a less time consuming and less invasive procedure, and a more affordable dental implant option can choose mini implants vs. regular implants. Mini implants are similar to traditional, though they use a metal post that is half the size, therefore not requiring as much dental work. Mini implants take less time and have a faster recovery time than regular implants. In addition, mini implants are ideal for patients with a small jaw bone.

Mini dental implants in Easton, PA use a small metal post, typically made of titanium. Dr. Alan Dilsaver applies local anesthesia first, so the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. Then, a small hole is drilled in the portion of the bone where the implant will go, and the post is secured into the hole. Because they are half the size, less bone is required for securing mini implants. This allows them to be completed in one visit to Lehigh Valley Smiles. After the post is in place, a tooth that resembles a natural tooth is secured over the post.

To learn more about mini implants vs. regular implants offered at Lehigh Valley Smiles with Dr. Alan Dilsaver, visit www.lehighvalleysmiles.net. You can also schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Dilsaver in Easton, PA by calling (610) 252-7414.